Fantasy Insider Report: Dolphins (and Fantasy Managers) Need a Healthy Tua Tagovailoa
The Athlon Sports 2023 Fantasy Football Annual magazine reached out to team insiders at all 32 NFL clubs to ask them three key fantasy questions heading into the season. As we count down to training camp, Sports Illustrated will publish their answers here. Today’s team: Miami Dolphins
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Can Tua Tagovailoa be trusted to play an entire season?
It’s something that you may not want to believe until you see it. He hasn’t proven that he can do it yet. He is taking measures toward improving his chances, though, by strengthening his body in the offseason, taking jiu-jitsu to fall in ways that protect him better. He might also opt for the NFL’s new protective quarterback helmet. If you draft Tagovailoa, you may want to make sure to use a bench spot on another viable fantasy quarterback.
Can Jaylen Waddle remain a top-10 option along with Tyreek Hill?
Both should be viewed as top-10 fantasy options at receiver again. The two will get a large share of the team’s targets in the passing game, and maybe head coach Mike McDaniel even gets creative with them in the run game, like he did with Deebo Samuel in San Francisco. Miami’s loss of tight end Mike Gesicki could also free up more touchdown opportunities in the red zone for Hill and Waddle.
Who will emerge as the lead RB in the Miami backfield? Will he see enough action to be a viable fantasy starter?
Until further notice, you might want to give Raheem Mostert the benefit of the doubt as the veteran tailback most familiar with McDaniel’s run game who is also coming off a career-high 891 rushing yards in 2022, the most healthy season of his career. Rookie Devon Achane could emerge as the most productive option by season’s end. Jeff Wilson Jr. will likely take goal-line carries away from both. With that three-way split in the backfield, it’s best not to count on any as a fantasy starter to begin the season.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel
